Ihsan Adel, President of the Law for Palestine Organization: The recognition of Palestine by three countries encourages a shift in European foreign policy towards a rights-based approach

Bilal bin Qita

Ihsan Adel, head of the Law for Palestine Organization, told the dialogue that The recognition of the State of Palestine by Norway, Ireland and Spain encourages a shift in European foreign policy towards a rights-based approach.

What are the implications of Norway, Ireland and Spain recognizing Palestine as an independent state?

The most important significance of this step is that it expresses a rejection of the ineffective status quo policy and misleading promises regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state on the basis of negotiations. This policy by the international community has continued over the past decades on the basis of a false claim that negotiations will lead to a Palestinian state, something that the leaders of the Zionist occupation have repeatedly confirmed will not happen. Thus, finally, these countries found that recognition of the Palestinian state must occur now in order to clearly state that the self-determination of the Palestinian people cannot be thus postponed indefinitely and placed at the mercy of Israel’s approval.

In the broader context, this decision, along with the existing international movements, whether at the level of international and local courts or at the level of public demonstrations and in universities, is a prominent indication that the world is uniting more and more against this racist colonial system and rejecting it. It is a burning moment similar to the moments of South Africa before liberation and emancipation, and it must be built upon at the Palestinian, Arab and international levels, popularly and officially, to maintain this momentum, strengthen it, and build on it.

How will this affect mobilization within the European Union? What are its dimensions?

This step by the three EU countries, which could be followed by other steps, encourages a shift in European foreign policy towards a rights-based approach with regard to Palestine. Meaning, leaving the previous approach based solely on political interests and considerations, to a more credible and effective approach based on international law, because the effects of the previous approach were disastrous and we see its effects today not only at the level of Palestine, but also at the level of international security and peace, and at the level of the value and unity of the system. International law and the United Nations as its sponsor.

This rights-based approach requires more from the European Union and its countries than just recognizing the Palestinian state, as this is the weakest faith, and in the end it does not change much of the reality on the ground in light of the continued occupation, aggression, and continued expansion of annexations, settlements, sieges, and killings. What is required is to take additional comprehensive measures similar to those taken by countries in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This includes imposing sanctions on the Zionist entity, including settlements, stopping the arms trade, and calling reality as it is, as this is not a conflict between two equal parties, but colonialism. Occupation and apartheid. Hence, there is an international obligation not to mediate between these asymmetric parties, but to implement measures that force the aggressor to stop his actions, thus putting an end to colonialism, apartheid and illegal occupation. The European Union, especially those countries that took the step to recognize Palestine, can and must lead this change. Lead this change.